Grate cleaner



July 14, 1925.

- w. R. EPEs GRATE CLEANER Filed Feb. 1, 1923 5 Shvet s-Sheet 3 July 14, 1925.

W. R. EPES GRATE CLEANER Fiied Feb. 1, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5% M53 fih $132232,

July 14, 1925.

W. R. EPES GRATE CLEANER 5 Sheets$heet 3 Filed Feb. 1, 1925 w. R. EPEs GRATE CLEANER July 14, 1925.

Filed Feb. 1, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 14, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM R. EPES, 0F BLACKSTONE, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO TRAVIS F. EPIlllS, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

GRATE CLEANER.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, l VTLLIAM R. EPES, residing at Blackstone, county of Nottoway, State of Virginia, a citizen of the United States,'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grate Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire cleaners and particularly to those cleaners for use with stationary grates as in stationary steam boilers. It however, applicable to other types.

Great difficulty is experienced in connec- 'tion with the care of fires under boilers where soft coal is used. This is for the reason that soft coal at moderately hot temperatures forms clinkers near the grate. These clinkers when in process of formation, are a semifiuid mass, which mass spreads over the grate, thus shutting off the draft and causing the fire to be deadened. This action causes the steam pressure to become less and makes it necessary to clean the fire and build up a new one. To be continually disturbing the upper surface of the fire in cleaning the clinker-s, means a lowering of the temperature within the fire box due to the fact that the coal door has to be open with the consequent admission of cold air and due also to the fact that the breaking up of the surface of the fire causes the draft to be uneven with a consequent variation in the combustion at different places in the fire boX.

Various means have been provided in attempting to. remedy this condition some of which have been partially successful.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of an improved grate cleaner.

Another object is the provision of a grate cleaner which will break up the clinkers without destroying the surface of the fire,

A further object of my invention is the provision of a grate cleaner by which any portion of the grate surface may be reached at any time. p

A ,till further object of my invention is the provision of a grate cleaner which may be kept out of contact with the fire at all times except during the cleaning operation.

Another and still further object of my invention is the provision 'of a grate cleaner having an indicator giving the exact location of the cleaning elements.

Another and still further object is to provide a means for agitating the upper surface of the coal bed.

Another and still further object of'my in vention is the provision of a grate cleaner which will cooperate with the grate and fuel to cause complete combustion by causing a uniform regulation of air to the fuel.

Another and still further object of my inmovable carriage carrying a plurality of cleaning elements.

Another and still further object is the provision of a grate cleaner comprising a movable carriage'carrying a plurality of cleaning elements, the elements being movable into and from the spaces between the grate bars. I

Another and still further object of my invention is the provision of such a cleaner having the cleaning elements movable on the carriage and transversely of the spaces between the bars.

Referring to the drawing where preferred embodiments of my invention are illustrated,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a boiler fire box showino portions broken away and showing the position of the cleaning elements when in operation,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the cleaner carriage showing portions of the carriage, its track and the firebox in section,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the carriage, parts being broken away for clearness,

Figure 4 is a partial plan view of the carriage, showing one end broken away -1n order to show the illustrated end on a larger scale,

Figures 5 and 6 are modified forms of cleaning element operating mechanism.

Like reference characters refer to the same and similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 4;

inclusive, 10 designates the wall of the fire box. Supported at the sides of the fire box wall 10 and below the grate bars 11 are two channels 12, having their open sides to- Supporting wheels 17 are arranged at each side of the carriage and contact with the track-13 already described. These wheels 17 aresupported by their respective shafts 18 which are supported in side frame members 19 and threaded in the housing 20. A flange 21 is provided on the edge of the housing and is secured to the carriage frame member 19 by the bolts 22. The shaft 18 is preferably provided with a head 23 to provide a means of tightening and loosening the threaded end 24 in the-housing 20.

Across the front and rear of the carriage are frame members in the shape of channels 25, 26, respectively.

Extending through the front of the fire box and journaled at the rear end thereof, is a shaft 27 having a key slot substantially throughout its length. A worm 28 is slidably mounted on the shaft 27 and is prevented from turning thereon by the key 29. This worm 28 is mounted so that it moves with the carriage as the latter moves along its track, the carriage carrying abutments which engage the flat ends of the worm.

Carried by a shaft 30 which is mounted transversely of the carriage, is the worm gear 31 which is in engagement with the worm 28. At the outer ends of the shaft 30 are arranged gears 32 which have the same pitch as, and cooperate with, the rack 14 to cause the carriage to progress over its track 13, when the shaft 30 is turned.

At front of the furnace and outside thereof, is arranged a suitable mechanism for operating the shaft 27 Such a mechanism is illustrated in Figure 1. Upon the shaft 27 is a sprocket 33. Adjacent thereto and in positionto be conveniently operated by hand is a hand wheel 34 carrying a sprocket wheel which, with the sprocket 33, carries the sprocket chain 35.

When the shifting of the carriage alon its track is desired, the hand wheel 34 is turned. the sprocket chain 35 and sprocket 33, and causes the worm 28 to operate the worm gear 31. This turns the shaft 30, operates the gear 32and, because of the latters coaction with the rack 14, the carriage is made to progress on its track. It will be noted that because of the position of the rack 14, there is practically no chance for dirt to interfere with its operation.

Extending through the front of the fire box is a shaft which also extends to and is journaled at the rear thereof. This shaft This operates the shaft 27, through also has a long key slot in which slides a key 41 attached to a worm 42. This worm 42 is slidably mounted on the shaft 40 andis movable along the shaft by and with the carriage. Suitable abutments are provided for maintaining the position of the worm relative to the carriage.

Mounted in the carriage and transverse thereof, is a shaft 43 to which is secured the worm segment 44. v

The shaft 43 has a squared portion 45 upon which is loosely mounted the cleaning finger carrying plate 46. A flange channel member 47 is secured to the carrying plate 46 by the rivets 48.

Extending from the carrying plate 46 and lying in planes perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 43 are the cleaning fingers 49. 1 These fingers are of such length that they will, when in vertical position, extend up into the fire box above the grate surface about six inches or such distance as it is found will be necessary under a given set of conditions.

On the outside of and in front of the furnace and secured to the shaft 40 is a sprocket 50. A hand wheel 51 is conveniently located to be operated. This hand wheel 51 carries a sprocket which with the sprocket 50 carries a sprocket chain 52. I Y

When it is desired to change the angle of the cleaning fingers, the hand wheel 51 is operated. This operates the chain .52, the shaft 40, the worm 42, the worm segment 44, the shaft 43 and swings the carrying plate 46 and fingers 49 to another angular position. The fingers 49 are secured to the carrying plate 46 by any suitable'means as the bolt 49 The number of fingers 49 may be varied from one finger for each slot to one finger for a large number of slots in the grate bars, depending upon the design and the conditions to be met. In case it is desired, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, to have one finger operate in several parallel slots, I provide a transverse shifting means to bring about the transverse changing of position.

As has been stated, the carrying plate 46 and the flanged channel 47 are loosely mounted on the squared portion 45 of the shaft 43. This feature is provided to permit the carrying plate and the cleaning fingers to be adjusted along the squared portion 45 of the shaft 43. To the end of the carrying plate 46, I

attach a member 53 which is cylindrical on its outer surface and to which is integrally connected a flange 54. Screw threaded to the member 53 is a collar 55. Between the flange 54 and the collar 55 is placed a ring 56. This ring has twotrunnions 57 extending therefrom on oppositesides. The ring 56 is free to turn between the two collars 54 Figure 1.

and 55. A yoke 58, having two sets of jaws 50, is arranged so thatthe trunnions 57 are received between the jaws 59. The yoke is secured to a head 60 which is slidably keyed to a shaft 61 as at 62. This shaft, like the shafts 27 and 10, extends the length of the grate and is journaled as shown at- 63 in It will be understood that the relation of these shafts 27, 10 and 61wit-h their respective coacting parts, is in I by suitable bearings in the frame of the carriage, so that the bending of the shaft outside of the carriage does. not affect the operation of the parts.

The shaft 61 extends through the front of the furnace and has a lever Gtmounted locking segment 65, having thereon. A suitable notches, is placed adjacent the lever 64 and in position to receive the detent 66, controlled by the grip lever 67."

When it is desired to shiftthe fingers transversely, they are first turned down so as to be out of the way of the grate bars. This is accomplished, as already described, by the operation of the hand wheel 51. The

lever 6 1 and the grip lever '67 are grasped,

thus releasing the detent 66 from the notch in the segment 65. 1f the lever 641 isnow turned, motionistransmitted through the shaft 61, key 62,'head 60', yoke 5 jaws 59,

trnnnions 57, ring 56, collars 5%, 55 to the plate 16 and fingers as. The notches in thesegment 65 v are so placed that when, the fingers 49 are opposite certain groups of spaces between grate bars, the detent 66 can enter the notch which represents this group of spaces. a v i its already described, each notch on the segment 65 corresponds to agroup ofspaces between the grates, these spaces being ar ranged in multiples. 'By performing, a,

cleaning operation fromone end-of a certain area to another point and frepeating a number of times equal to the number .of

notches on the segment 65, the operator can by shifting a notch each time, cover allof the spaces in that area.

In order, however, to know at exactly what points'in the length of. the fire box, elements are operating. or are the cleaning ready to operate and in order to know exactly at what angle the cleaning-elements are being held, I provide indicating means the front of the boiler, so that the operator always may know the exact position of the cleaning elements.

To the carriage at 70 I have attached a flexible cable or wire 71. This wire 71eX- tends through the front of the furnace The latter is marked marked toi ndicate the position of the segment as and consequently the position of cleaning elements or fingers 19 in the vertical plane.

At the rear of the fire boX is preferably a clinker drop 78 for permitting the clinkers to be dropped into the ash pit when desired.

This clinker drop 7 8 is operated by a hand lever 79 shown in Fig. 1. A suitable sheet metal cover is provided over the operating parts as indicated in dotted lines at 80.

Referring to Figs. 5 and6 it will be seen that I I have illustrated diagramn atically two other forms of finger operating mechanism. In these-views, 'in order to prevent confusion, I have omitted the carriage upon which the mechanism rests, it being clear from the following description to one skilled in the art how these mechanisms would be applied to the carriage.

Referring to Fig. 5, 101 designates a shaft which corresponds in its construction and function to the shaft 40 of Figs. 1 to 4. The numeral 102 designates a shaft correspending in function to theshaft 61 of Figs. 1 :04. On the shaft 101 is slidably keyed aworm 103 which coacts with worm wheel 104: on the finger operating shaft 105. The shaft 105 like the shaft 43 has a squared portion 106 upon which is slidably mounted a square sleeve 107. Thesleeve 107 carries arms 108 which carry the upper ends of the cleaning elements or fingers 109. I

Below the shaft 105 is a companion shaft 110 which carries a sleeve 111 which latter carries arms 112 which are attached at their lower ends to the respective cleaning elements or fingers 109.

On the sleeve 107 are arranged a pair of collars 113, 11 1. Below the collars 113, 114: respectively and on the sleeve 111 are arranged collars 1'15, 116. An operating arm 117, is provided with jaws at each end of such proportionsthat they straddle the sleeves 107 and lllfrespectively and engage between the collars113, 114 at the upper end and collars 115, 116 at the lower end.

Attached to the arm 117 is a rack 118'havvir teeth engaging the pinion 119, which J in Fig. 5,the shaft l02 is turned counterclockwise as viewed from the left. By turning the shaft 101, the worm 103 operates the worm gear 104 to turn the shaft 105 to raise or lower the cleaning elements or fingers 109. Referring particularly to Fig. 6, 201 indicates a shaft corresponding to the shaft 101 and 202 indicates a shaft corresponding to the shaft 102 of Fig. 5, Slidably keyed on the shaft 201 is a head 203 to which is rigidly attached an arm 204. Pivoted at 205 is an arm 206 of similar length and parallel to the arm 204. Pivoted between the upper ends of the arms 204, 206 is a bearing link 207. Extending up ward from the link 207 are guides 208 which carry rollers 209. Guide pins 210 extend into slots 211 in the cleaning finger supporting bars 212 which latter rest on the rollers 209. The bars 212 carry the cleaning elements or fingers 213 which correspond to the cleaning fingers 49 and 109.

At the end of one of the bars 212 is attached an arm 214 which extends through a slot in a member 215. The member 215 is pivoted to an arm 216 which is rigidwith a head 217. The latter is slidably keyed to the shaft 202.

When it is desired to lower the teeth 213, the shaft 201 is turned in a direction counterclockwise as viewed from the left. When this occurs, the bearing link 207 moves bodily in an are due to the parallel motion effected by the links 204, 206. The pins 210 pass along the slot 211, the rollers 209 rolling under the bars 212. The movement of the bar 212 and the cleaning elements or fingers 213, thus effected is a bodily vertical movement due to the fact that they are slidably mounted between the guides 218 and to the fact that transverse movement of the fingers is prevented by the arm 214 and the member 215.

When however it is desired to move the fingers 213 in a transverse direction, i. e. lengthwise of the bar 212, it is only neces sary to turn the shaft 202. This action rotates the head 217 and the arm 216 and causes the member 215 to move the arm 214. Motion is thus transmitted to the bar 212 and the cleaning elements 213. The bars 212 are permitted to move freely under the influence of the turning of the shaft 202, due to the fact that they are mounted upon the rollers 209, already described.

The operation of the control elements, illustrated in Fig. 1, soon becomes so familiar to the operator, that he begins with the carriage adjacent the forward end and works the clinkers back to the rear, almost without thinking. Throughout this time the surface of the fire is not disturbed. By looking at the under surface of the fire through the ash pit door, the operator can observe when any. particular portion of the firev needs cleaning and can place the cleaning fingers immediately at the desired place: In the general operation of the boiler, however, the grate would be given a thorough cleaning from end to end at stated intervals, the length of which would depend upon the. conditions of the amount of water being evapo: rated into steam and the steam pressure being maintained. I

The fact that the cleaning fingers nor mally remain below the grate in the cool air, out of contact with the fire, is conducive to long life for these parts. The cleaning fingers are preferably arranged atthe rear of the carriage as in this position, there is a better distribution of the strains.

The constant maintenance of the openings between the grates and the continual breaking up of the clinkers renders the grates almost proof against burning out. i F H The uniform extension of the cleaning fingers above the grate bar, insures a regular movement of the clinkers toward the rear and thebreaking up of the clinkers in auniform and efficient manner. 1

The fact that the operation, of the fingers throughout the length of one-set of slots in or between grate bars, takes such a, short time, gives the fingers no opportunity to become heated to a burning orevenbendingtemperature before they are again .with; drawn to the cooler air.

In using certain bituminous coals, a crust is formed on the top of the firelbedjBy elevating the cleaning finger-s te maximum height, and moving them, they, become agi} tators and will break up not only the clinkers but the upper surface of the fire bed.

This restores normal draft and combustion.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a means for cleaning grates capable of operationin such a manner as to insure cleaner grates, uniform combustion by a uniform draft, and the prevention of formation of large clinkers, closing of the grate spaces and burning out of grate bars. These con ditions permit the use of a lower grade of fuel and the carrying of a thinner fuel bed.

While I have described in detail embodiments of my invention, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact structures shown in the, drawing and that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of myinvention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is V 1. A grate cleaner, comprisinga cleaning finger, means for vertically moving the finger from beneath the grate, upwardly between the grate bars and mechanism for giving the finger a bodily movement in the direction of, and throughout the length of, the space between the grate bars when said finger is in one of the spaces.

2. A grate cleaner, comprising a cleaning finger, means for pivotally movingthe finger between the grate bars in a vertical direction and means for bodily moving the finger transversely to the spaces between the grate bars and means for giving the finger a bodily movement in the direction of the spaces between the'grate bars.

3. A grate cleaner, comprising a cleaning finger, means for moving the finger between the grate bars in vertical direction, means for bodily moving the finger transversely to the spaces between the grate bars and means for giving the finger a bodily move ment in the direction of the spaces between the grate bars.

l. A grate cleaner, comprising a cleaning finger, means for pivot-ally moving the finger between the grate bars substantially in a vertical plane and means for giving the finger a bodily movement in thedirectio-n of and throughout substantially the length of thespaces between the grate bars;

5. A grate cleaner, comprising a cleaning finger, means for pivotally moving the finger between the grate bars substantially in a vertical plane and means for giving the finger a bodily movement transversely to the spaces between the grate bars, and seine tively to register with any one of a plurality of the spaces and in any order.

-6. A grate cleaner, comprising a cleaning finger, means for pivota-lly moving the finger between the grate bars substantially in a-vertical-plane, and means for giving the finger abodily movement in the direction ofand throughout substantially the length of the spaces between the grate "bars. g 7. A grate cleaner comprising a cleaning finger, means for moving the finger upwardlyand downwardly in the space between the'bars and to various vertical adjustments and means to move the fingers lo-ngitudinally in the spaces while the fingers are in anyone ofthe various vertical adjustments. I I V 7 8. In combination, a'gr'ate having' bars, the bars having spaces th'erebetween, a grate cleaner comprising a shaft and having mounted thereon a-plur'ality' of cleaning fingers 'sospaced apart as tobe a distance from each other equal to a multiple of the sum of the distance of the width of a space and bar, and" means to adjust the fingers transversely so that they will be inposition beneath any one of different groups of spaces and means'to'move the upper end of the fingers to various vertical adjustments inthe-spaces, I I

19. In combination, a grate having bars, the bars "having spaces 1 therebetween, a grate cleaner comprising a shaft and'havingmountedthereon a' p1urality of cleaning fingers so -space c'l'apart astobe a distance fro-meach other equal to a multiple of the sum of the distance of the width of a space and bar, and means to adjust thefingers transversely. so that they will be in position beneath any one of different groups of spaces and means tOy-IIIOVG the upper end of the fingers to various verticaladjustments, and means to move thefingers longitudinally in the spaces while the fingers are in any one of the various vertical adjustments.

10. In combination, a grate having bars, the bars having spaces therebetween, a grate cleaner comprising a shaft and having mounted thereon a plurality of cleaning fingers so spaced apart as to be a distance, from each other equal to a multiple of the sum of thedistance of the width of a space and bar and, means to adjust the fingers transversely so that they will be in position beneath any one of different groups or spaces and means to pivoitally move the fingers to various vertical adjustments, and means to' move the fingers longitudinally in the spaces while the "fingers are in any one of the various vertical adjustments. i

11. A grate cleaner for grate bars com prising a carriage, a cleaning finger mov. ably mounted on the carriage and meeh'anisnifor causing the carriage to travel substantially the length of the grate bars in a direction parallel to the grate bar spaces.

12. A grate cleaner for grate bars com.- prising a carriage, a cleaning finger onthe carriage, mechanism for causing the carriage to travel substantially the length of the grate bars and meansfor raising thefinger in'the grate bar spaces and relatively to the carnage.

13. A grate cleaner comprising a carriage, a cleaning finger carried by the car.- riage, means for causing the carriage to travel, means for raising the finger in the gratebar spaces and means for moving the cleaning finger on the carriage transversely tothe direction of travel of the'carriage.

14. A grate cleaner'comprising a carriage, a cleaning finger pivotally mounted on the carriage, means for causing the carriage to travel, means for raising the finger in the grate bar spaces and means for moving the cleaning finger on the carriage transversely to the direction of travel of the carriage. 15. In a furnace having firebox and grate, a grate cleaner'comprising abodily movable carriage, a cleaning finger movably mounted on the carriage, a single .rotative means at the front of the fireboxfor controlling movementof the finger on the carriage. j 16'. In a furnace 'havinga firebox and grate, a grate cleaner comprising a carriage, a cleaning finger mounted on and movable'relative to the carriage, means for raising'thecleaning finger in the grate bar spaces and relative to the carriage and means 1 independent, of the finger 7 raising means forcontrolling the movement of the carriage. I ,i

17. In a furnace having a firebox and grate, a grate cleaner comprising a carriage, a cleaning finger on the carriage, means at the front of the firebox for controlling the movement of the carriage and means for raising the finger in the grate bar spaces and means for moving the cleaning finger on the carriage transverse to the direction of travel of the carriage. g y .18. In afurnace, a firebox and a grate, a grate cleaner, comprising a carriage, clean; ing fingers on the carriage, meansafor raising the fingersin the grate bar spaces and relative tothe carriage, means at the front of the furnace for controlling the last named means, and mechanism independent of the finger raising means for causing the carriage to travel.

19. In a furnace grate, a grate cleaner, comprising a carriage, a cleaning finger on the carriage, means for causing the ,carriage to travel ,in. the direction of the grate bar spaces, means for moving the cleaning finger on the carriage transversely to the direction of travel of the carriage'and means at the front of the furnace for controlling the operation of the last said means. i

v'20. In a furnace having a firebox and a grate, a grate cleaner comprising a carriage, a cleaning finger on the carriage, means for causing the carriage to move in the direction iof the grate bar spaces, means for mov ing the cleaning finger on the carriagetransversely to the direction of travel of the carriage and means at the front of the furnace for controlling the operation of the last said means and the carriage moving means. t

a 21. In a furnace having a firebox and a grate, a grate cleaner, comprisinga carriage, a cleaning finger on the carriage,

meansfor causing the finger to be raised in a grate bar space, means for causing the carriage to move .in the direction of thegrate bar spaces, means for moving the cleaning fingeron the carriagetransversely to the direction oftravel of the. carriage and ,means at, the front of the furnace for separately controlling the operation of each of the last three mentioned means. 7 1

The. combination of ,a furnace having avfirebox and a grate with ,a grate cleaner mechanism, the, grate cleaner .mechanism' comprising a traveling carriage, a cleaning finger on the carriage, meansfor causing the finger to be raised and lowered in a grate bar. space. and relative, to -the carriage, a single revoluble; shaft extending through the furnace wall and operatively connected to the said means and humanlycontrolled devicesfor, operating the last named shaft. J ll ei ambin iq feta f ace hav having a firebox and a finger on the carriage, means for causing the 1 finger to be raised and lowered in a grate bar space and relative to thecarriage, a

revoluble shaft extending throughthe fur-v nace wall and ,operatively connected to the said means, humanly controlled devices for operating the shaft, mechanism fornlnoviligi the cleaning, finger on the carriage transversely to 1ts direction of travel, aisecondz revoluble shaft extending through the front of the furnace andbeing operativelyconnected touthe transverse moving mechanism and humanly controlled device's. for.op'erat+l ing the last namedshaft. .1-

24:. The combinationof a furnace having a firebox and a grate, with a grate. cleaner mechanism, the v. grate :cleaner mechanism comprising, a traveling carriage, a cleaning finger, on the carriage, means forcausing the finger to beraised and lowered in a grate bar space and relative to thecarriage, a revoluble shaft extending through the :fur: nace wall and operativelyconnected1-to the said means, humanly"controlleddevices for operating the shaft, drivingxrneans for the carriage for causing the same'towtravel rela tive to the grate, said driving means comprising a secondrevoluble shaft extending through the furnace wall Vand'humanly controlled devices for operating the last named shaft. H

25.- The combination of a furnace having a firebox and a grate, with a grateiclean'er mechanism, the grate cleaner-'rmechanism comprising'atraveling carriage, a cleaning finger on the carriage, imeans-for' causing the finger to be raised andlowered in a grate bar space andrelative to the'carriage, arevoluble shaft extending through the furnace wall: and operatively connected to f the said means, hu'manly controlled devices for operating the shaft; -:mechanism :for moving the cleaning finger on the carriagetraiisversely to-its direction orfitravel, a second revoluble shaft extending through the front of the furnace and being*o peratively-con nected: to the transverse moving :mechanism, humanly controlled devices L for operating the shaft, driving means for the carriage for causing :the' same to travel relative to the grate, said driving meanscomprisingwa rev:- oluble shaft extendingithrough the furnace Wall andhumanly controlled devices for: opcrating the last named-shaft: 26. The. combination of r at furnace having a grate, cleaning mechanism, the, cleaning mechanism comprising a traveling vcarriage, a shaft-:revolublymounted adjacent the front and rear .of a gratereSpectively means for turning the shaft, cleaning fingers am the carriage, operating means onr-rthe-ccarage, t rst us get e fia ntfl trave Jan having a sliding connection tothe shaft, and means for operating the shaft.

27. The combination of a furnace having a grate, with a cleaning mechanism, said cleaning mechanism comprising a traveling carriage, cleaning fingers on the carriage, a shaft revolubly mounted adjacent-the front and rear of the grate respectively, means for moving the cleaning fingers relative to the carriage said means having a sliding connection to said shaft to be operated thereby.

28. The combination of a furnace having a grate, With a cleaning mechanism, said cleaning mechanism comprising a traveling carriage, cleaning fingers on the carriage, three shafts, each being journaled adjacent the front and rear of the grate, respectively, means on the carriage for propelling the same, means for moving the fingers in a vertical plane, means for moving the fingers in a horizontal plane and separate means slidably connecting the respective shafts with the respective means to operate the latter from the former.

29. In combination a furnace having a grate, a traveling carriage, cleaning fingers on the carriage, the carriage having Wheels, a rack rigid With the furnace Wall, a gear carried by the carriage and engaging the rack and means for turning the gear.

30. In combination, a furnace having grates, racks mounted there below, adjacent to and substantially parallel to the plane of the grates, a carriage, cleaning fingers on the carriage, a shaft extending across the carriage, gears on the shaft and engaging the respective racks, means for driving the shaft, a humanly controlled device at the outside of the furnace Wall for controlling the operation of the last said means.

31. In combination, a furnace having grates, racks mounted adjacent to the grates and With their teeth turned downward, a carriage, cleaning fingers on the carriage, a shaft extending across the carriage, gears on the shaft and engaging the respective racks, means for driving the shaft, a humanly controlled device at the outside of the furnace Wall for controlling the operation of the last said means.

32. A grate cleaner comprising a carriage, a shaft on the carriage, cleaning fingers supported by said shaft, means for moving the fingers in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft and means for rotating the finger With the shaft.

33. In combination, a furnace having grate bars, a rotatably mounted shaft, a carriage, a cleaning finger on the carriage, coacting means on the carriage and side of the furnace and being connected to the shaft to give a movement to the carriage and cleaning finger relative to the grate bars When the shaft is turned.

In testimony Whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

WILLIAM R. EPES. 

